Musical instrument



Jan. 6, 1931. B. M. MANN 1,788,313

' Jwsrcn INSTRUIBN'I Filed Nov. 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Jan. 6, 1931. MANN 1,788,313

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Nov. 18. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor fiiaafy 17f M0222? By A tiorney Patented Jan. 2 6, 1 931 BRADY 1:. Mann, or PAMPA, TEXAS I MUSICAL ms'rnumuu'r Application filed November 1a, 1 29. Serial No. 468,044.

This invention relates to an improved musical instru'mentwhich is in the nature of a guitar and which is characterized by two distinct improvements as comparedwith the ordinary or conventional guitarnow in use.

One feature is predicated. upon the provision of a brace which extends longitudinally through thebody portion of the instru-.

ment and which is securely anchored at its opposite ends, one end being anchored the butt end in alinement with'the tailpiece, and the'other end being attached to the abutment at the inner end of the neck.

The second feature is predicated upon the incorporation of an additional string, where:

by the instrument includes seven strings instead of the conventional sixstring assembly,

thus enabling a different method of tuning to be resorted to and permitting the performer to play with greater ease and facility.

Other features and advantages "will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a guitar constructed in accordance with the present in vention. b

Figure 2 is a side view with the body shown in section to disclose the internal longitudinalbrace.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view ofthe sectional brace.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a coupling'sleeve constituting a part of the brace.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the manner in which one end of the brace is anchored;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view tk 't fhl". en approxlma ely on the Plan? 0 t 8 vided w1th a retention and ad usting nut 21.

66 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, it. willbe observed that the body of the instrument is of general configuration and designated by the numeral 7 It is provided with the usual central tone hole 8 and tailpiece 9 on which the strings are anchored at one end. The neck is indicated by the numeral 10 and terminates in a conventional shaped head 11 provided with tuning keys 12. In accordance with the present invention there is a supplemental key provided at 13. 1

, The instrument also includes a finger board '14 having'the usual frets15 and provided witha lateral extensionintermediate its ends as at 16 which may be distinguished as an abutment. Instead'of using "six strings, I have found it practical'and eX- pedient to employ seven strings. The first string is tuned to E, the second string to B, the thirdstring to 'D. The centralor additional string is tunedto G. The string is tuned to-D an octave lower than the first named D, string number 6"isturned to A and string number seven to E 'anoctave lower than the first named E. Thus it Will beseen that thestringsareturned in the following order; namely, E, B, l G, D, A and E.

Because of the additional tension provided bythis peculiar method of tuning, and because of the additional seventh. string, it 1 has been found practically necessary to brace the instrument to prevent twisting or distortion of the neck. From experience it has. been found that the addition of this brace renders the structure sufficiently sturdy to enhance the tone in an indescribable manner. The particular type of brace found practical. for the purpose is generally, designated by. 17 in Figure 2. It is a longitudinal brace and extends through the hollow body. 1

It comprises a pairof metal rod sections or members 18 and 19 whoseinner end is screw threaded and coupled together by a wooden sleeve 20. A wooden'sleeve has been found advisable in that it constitutes an insulator against excessive vibrations set up by the presence of the metallic parts of the brace. The outer end of the rod member 19 is pro- The opposite rod member 18 has its outer end screw threaded and threaded into a nut 22, which nut is an integral part of a substan tially channel shaped metal sheath plate 23.

Tbis plate embraces the abutment 16 to the is predicated upon two important features;

namely, the seven string especially tuned assembly, and the complemental brace for relieving the instrument of undue strain and stress and enhancing the tone by securing rigidity in construction.

It is thought that by considering the description in connection with the drawings a clear understanding of the construction and features and advantages of the invention will be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

I claim:

In a guitar of the class described, a hollow body provided with a neck having a laterally directed portion intermediate its ends bearing against one end of said body and constituting an abutment, a substantially channel shaped metal plate bent to form a sheath and embracing said abutment, said plate including an inwardly projected integral internally screw threaded nut, and a longitudinal brace comprising a pair of complemental rod members screw threaded at their opposite ends, the outer end of one of said rodmembers being threaded into said nut, the outer end. of the remaining-rod member passing through the butt end of the body, a nut carried by said end, the inner screw-threaded ends of said rod members being disposed in close spaced proximity, and a Wooden vibration insulating sleeve connecting said inner screw threaded ends together in coupled relationship.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BRADY Ml MANN. 

